•Terrorists
Residents of Minna, Niger state capital and environs are in fear over the influx of persons suspected to be terrorists/armed bandits into the state as strategies on how to end their control over some farming communities in Niger and some neighbouring states intensifies.
The influx of suspected criminal elements into the state capital is coming against the backdrop renewed sporadic attacks on communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas (LGAs), prompting some fleeing villagers to seek refuge in neighbouring Benin Republic, reports Daily Independent.
It was also learnt that communities around Konkoso have been deserted as residents in their hundreds joined their kinsmen as refugees in Segbana, a town in Benin Republic sharing common borders with Niger and Kebbi states respectively.
Some of the fleeing villagers had claimed that the terrorists are now in firm control of their ancestral homes haven established their base in Konkoso for further expansion after days of sustained onslaught on the communities during which more than 26 people died.
A villager who spoke on condition of anonymity had recalled how over 200 terrorists returned to Konkoso communities riding on about seventy motorcycles, 2 or 3 in each to continue with killings and destruction of properties.
In Minna the state capital, two incidents; one at the central market flyover which almost led to his being lynched and the second, at the Bosso road/western by-pass junction indicates that some of the criminal elements may have entered the metrilopolis, hibernate and try to get familiar with the environment.
At the main market flyover, last Saturday, a passenger inside a tricycle spotted a supposed resident trying to find his way to Mobil roundabout, but could not express himself either in English or any of the local languages; Nupe, Gwari/Gbagyi or Hausa except in Fulani/Fulfulde the suspects.
The suspect, looking so unkempt with no traveling bags to suggest that he is visiting stood at wrong location and made attempts to stop tricycle to take him to Mobil roundabout, and this attracted the attention of passersby, including a Fulani man inside a loading tricycle.
Seeing that a fellow Fulani man is being surrounded by the increasing number of people, alighted from the tricycle, walked through the crowd and started interrogating him in a language that is understood by only the two of them.
In the confusion that followed both men disappeared from the crowd and their sudden disappearance further raised suspicion about their identities and the possibility that both of them could be allies and of same mission.
While the issue of the two men now suspected to be terrorists were being discussed, somebody from the crowd recalled similar incident at Maitumbi few days back whereby two strange looking young men in their late 20s wanted to know the direction to government house, state police headquarters and the biggest market in Minna town.
The clandestine behaviour exhibited by the two men said to have rode on a motorcycle, manner of approach and ascent is said to have raised the curiosity of people they were asking for direction about their identities and possible mission to the places they were trying to locate.
Curious about identities and mission to the three places mentioned, the people demanded to know why they were trying to visit the places when it was fast getting dark, but instead of answering the questions, the two men grew angry and hurriedly left the scene and headed back towards Crystal FM station, where they had come from in their motorcycle.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has encouraged both Christian and Muslim worshipers to maintain vigilance at prayer grounds as they continue with the Ramadan and lenten fasting.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) , Zone 7, comprising Niger state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , Abuja, ASP Halima Mohammed gave the advice in a statement, stressing the need for heightened vigilance and cooperation with the Police throughout the period.
Apart from places of worship, ASP Halima want residents in the zone to be security conscious in their homes, work place and markets, recreational facilities and other public gatherings during Iftar, Jummah, and Taraweeh prayers.
